Nicosia Travel Guide

Also referred to as Lefkosia, the bustling city of Nicosia in the northern interior has been the capital of Cyprus since the 12th century. It stands today as the world's only divided capital and is split in two by the Green Line, a United Nations buffer zone that divides the government-controlled Republic of Cyprus in the south from the Turkish-occupied Northern Cyprus.

Elegant tree-lined suburbs surround Nicosia's modern city centre, but the favoured tourist sector is the Old Town, which is being extensively renovated. The Old Town is a picturesque fusion of 16th-century walls, pedestrian precincts, pavement cafes, and squares, brimming with charm, character, and sightseeing opportunities. There are many things to see and do in Nicosia, where travellers will find a variety of museums, performance venues, cinemas, restaurants, bars and nightclubs to choose from.

Located on the Mesaoria Plain, the city is the centre of the Nicosia District, which includes the valleys of Solea and Pitsilia and parts of Marathasa, with its mountain villages, orchards, hill resorts, and a plethora of Byzantine churches and monasteries. These are within easy reach and make for pleasant day trips from the city. Travellers will find accommodation options that range from five-star hotels replete with spas, fine dining and tennis courts to charming guesthouses that are perfect for young couples who'd prefer a more private and authentic alternative to hostels.

While Nicosia doesn't have the stunning Mediterranean beaches to offer visitors, it is a great base from which to explore the mountainous regions of Cyprus, which are very beautiful in their own right and offer numerous hiking trails.

Things to do in Nicosia

There's plenty to see and do in Nicosia, despite the area's lack of lovely Mediterranean beaches. As one might expect from the capital of such a culturally and historically rich country, the city has a number of wonderful museums.

The Cyprus Archaeological Museum holds a breathtaking collection of artefacts from all over the country, while the Leventis Municipal Museum has a great overview of the history of Nicosia spanning ancient times through to modern day. The Byzantine Museum boasts remarkable religious art and iconography, and the Ethnographic Museum is a must for travellers who are interested in the folk traditions of Cyprus.

Some of the most incredible attractions in Nicosia are religious buildings, such as St John's Cathedral, the official state church of Cyprus. It is comparatively small for a cathedral but the interior is wondrous.

Alternatively, Nicosia's Old Town is strewn with attractions for visitors and is a good area to begin sightseeing in the city. A stroll around the old walls is a must, with the pleasant, surrounding gardens adding to the experience.

There are also relics and remains to be found a short distance beyond the city. The ancient settlement of Tamassos makes for an exciting excursion from Nicosia and offers some thrilling ruins for exploration, as well as being the location of a rich archaeological site containing a necropolis and tombs.

Cyprus Archaeological Museum photo

Cyprus Archaeological Museum

The Cyprus Archaeological Museum was established to collect, study, and display archaeological artefacts from all over the island. Located at a different site, the first museum was established in 1888 and some of the exhibits are some 8,500 years old. The museum is arranged in chronological order: the first hall contains pottery and implements from the Neolithic and Chalcolithic periods whilst the other rooms trace the history of Cyprus through the Bronze Age, Hellenic Period, Mycenaean times, Roman Period, and early Byzantine. A unique feature of the museum lies in the basement where several graves rest in a dark cellar, complete with skeletal remains and reconstructed adornments.

Byzantine Museum photo

Byzantine Museum

The Byzantine Museum in the Old City of Nicosia displays the largest collection of art on Cyprus. The museum contains an art gallery exhibiting oil paintings, maps, and lithographs, giving visitors insight into Cypriot culture and history. There are around 230 icons on display, dating from the 9th through to the 19th centuries and salvaged from all over Cyprus. They are beautifully preserved and make a strong impact on visitors, especially those interested in religious art and iconography. The museum also has fragments of 6th century mosaics, taken from the apse of the Church of Panagia Kanakaria at Lythrankomi.

Nicosia Climate and Weather

Nicosia has a warm Mediterranean climate though, as an inland region, conditions are warmer than in other parts of Cyprus. Summer temperatures can climb as high as 37C (99F) in July and August, and can reach or exceed 40C (104F) during heat waves from Africa. Winter is mild but slightly colder than along the coast, with temperatures averaging around 10C (50F) and potentially dropping to around freezing at night. The best time to visit Nicosia is from March through June, and September through November, when the weather is milder and there is almost no precipitation.

Cyprus travel info

Electricity

Electrical current is 240 volts, 50Hz. UK-style three square-pin plugs are used.

Language

The majority of Cypriots speak Greek, and a small percentage speaks Turkish. The Greek Cypriot dialect differs from mainland Greece. English, German and French are spoken in tourist areas.

Money

The official currency is the euro (EUR). Money can be exchanged at banks, which are open from Monday to Friday. ATMs that operate 24 hours a day are spread throughout the island; major credit cards are accepted in most establishments.

Tipping

A 10 percent service charge is levied in hotels and restaurants so a tip is not obligatory, but small change is always welcome. Taxi drivers and porters appreciate a small tip.

Health

All eligible travellers should be up to date with their COVID-19 vaccines, and hepatitis A and B vaccinations are always recommended for travellers by health authorities. After Brexit, the Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC) replaced the European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) for UK citizens. The GHIC allows UK citizens access to state healthcare during visits to the EU. The GHIC is not valid in Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein or Switzerland, nor is it an alternative to travel insurance. Medical fees are reasonable in Cyprus, but supplies are expensive and it is probably a good idea for visitors to bring any important prescription medications they may require (with the appropriate notes from their doctor to get them through customs).

Safety

Crime against tourists is rare and the area is generally safe.

Local customs

Visitors should avoid taking photographs near military establishments. Religious customs such as Ramadan should be respected, particularly in the north where most of the Turkish Cypriots are Muslim; travellers should avoid eating, drinking, smoking and chewing gum in public during the holy month. Women should dress modestly.

Doing business

Business in Cyprus is best conducted face-to-face, as developing a working relationship based on trust is important. Business is conducted formally, and dress should be smart and conservative (a suit and tie are the norm). Greetings are usually made with a handshake, and business cards are exchanged. It is common for women to hold high positions and they are generally well respected in the business world. Punctuality is important, but meetings may not begin on time. Business hours can vary according to the season, but are usually 8am to 1pm and 4pm to 7pm Monday to Friday in summer, closing at 5pm in winter.

Duty free

Travellers to Cyprus over 17 years arriving from non-EU countries do not have to pay duty on 200 cigarettes or 100 cigarillos or 50 cigars or 250g smoking tobacco; 1 litre spirits with higher than 22 percent alcohol volume or 2 litres spirits or aperitifs with less than 22 percent alcohol volume, or 2 litres of fortified or sparkling wine, 4 litres of still wine, or 16 litres of beer.

Communications

The international access code for Cyprus is +357. The outgoing code is 00 followed by the relevant country code (e.g. 0044 for the United Kingdom). Visitors can purchase local SIM cards for their phones and WiFi is increasingly available in many cafes, restaurants and airports, and at most hotels, especially in the south (the Republic).

Passport & Visa

Travellers, except EEA nationals, should hold an onward or return ticket and documentation necessary for that journey, as well as sufficient funds for the period of intended stay in Cyprus. It is also advisable to have a hotel reservation. Extensions are available to visa-exempt nationals. Travellers should note that foreigners entering Cyprus north of the UN-patrolled 'green line' are deemed by the Government of the Republic of Cyprus to have entered illegally, and can be fined when crossing to the south (EU). Policies and procedures are subject to sudden changes, and visitors should check on the current situation before departing for Cyprus. It is highly recommended that visitors' passports have at least six months' validity remaining after the intended date of departure from their travel destination. Immigration officials often apply different rules to those stated by travel agents and official sources.

Entry requirements

US nationals must have a passport valid for three months beyond the period of intended stay in Cyprus. A visa is not required for a stay of up to 90 days.

British passports must be valid three months beyond period of intended stay. No visa is required for a touristic stay of up to 90 days.

Canadian nationals must have a passport valid for three months beyond the period of intended stay. No visa is required for stays of up to 90 days.

Australian nationals must have a passport valid for three months beyond the period of intended stay. No visa is required for stays of up to 90 days.

South African nationals must have a passport valid for at least three months beyond the period of intended stay. A visa is required, except for those carrying multiple-entry Schengen C visas that have already entered the Schengen area or been issued by Bulgaria, Croatia, Romania or a Schengen Member State. This exemption lasts for 90 days.

Irish nationals must hold a passport valid upon arrival. No visa is required.

New Zealand nationals must have a passport valid for three months beyond the period of intended stay. No visa is required for stays of up to 90 days.

Useful contacts

Cyprus Tourist Organisation, Nicosia: +357 22691100 or www.visitcyprus.org.cy

112 (General Emergency Helpline)

Embassies / consulates in other countries

Cyprus Embassy, Washington DC, United States: +1 202 462 5772.

Cyprus Embassy, London, United Kingdom: +44 (0)20 7321 4100.

Cyprus Consulate General, Toronto, Canada: +1 416 944 0998.

Cyprus High Commission, Canberra, Australia (also responsible for New Zealand): +61 (0)2 6281 0832.

Cyprus High Commission, Pretoria, South Africa: +27 (0)12 346 3298.

Cyprus Embassy, Dublin, Ireland: +353 (0)1 676 3060.

Embassies / consulates in Cyprus

United States Embassy, Nicosia: +357 2239 3939.

British High Commission, Nicosia: +357 96 390076.

Consulate of Canada, Nicosia: +357 2277 5508.

Australian High Commission, Nicosia: +357 2275 3001.

South African Embassy, Athens, Greece (also responsible for Cyprus): +30 210 617 8020.

Irish Embassy, Nicosia: +357 2281 8183.

New Zealand Embassy, Rome, Italy (also responsible for Cyprus): +39 (0)6 853 7501.